The Psychology of Shoes

Sunday, 16 October 2016

Extroverts are aroused less than introverts. That's why extroverts handle noise and socialising better than introverts, who find it all a bit too much!

Hello - welcome back to the psychology of shoes!

I'm a studying for my Psychology Masters (my website) and I thought it would be fun to look at the connection between personality and shoes.

Last time I gave you this pair:

For working shoes, these make quite a statement. What's her job and personality?

Here's Eliza:

I often meet Eliza on her way to work and my impression is that she's relatively introverted. Again, perhaps the shoes do the talking?Eliza is Italian and works as a receptionist for a Japanese company, all of which demands style.What do you think of these?

Thursday, 14 July 2016

I stop people in the street when I see interesting shoes. I take a photo and investigate their personality. The theory is we can read people via their footwear. Also it's fun just matching people to shoes!

Last time I gave you this pair of shoes (subject no.3):

A stylish pair of shoes right? That blue suede and those heels are definitely saying something.

What’s this individual’s style? What job do they do? What type of person wears these shoes and what do the shoes say about their personality?

Here's Ewelina:

She describes herself as outgoing and friendly, but also emotional. She works as a beauty therapist. Fashion and beauty I could've guessed. Emotional: I didn't see that one coming. I need to get more rigorous with my personality assessment.Did you know that personality is measured in terms of 5 traits? Openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness and neuroticism. How do you rate on each of these?

Did you do better than me this week? Again, I’d love to hear about it so comment below! Here’s this week’s pair, a bit easier I think:

Tuesday, 28 June 2016

I stop people on their way to work when I see interesting shoes. I take a photo and investigate their personality. The theory is we can read people via their footwear.

Last time I gave you this pair of shoes (subject no.2):

Shiny and showy! What’s this person’s style? What job do they do? What type of person wears these shoes and what do the shoes say about their personality?

Say hi to Anna-Lee!

This one wasn’t too tricky: she was buoyant and bubbly - I could feel her personality bursting through as I spoke to her. A definite extrovert!

In fact, this was the first day of her new job in marketing. While others might have worn a toned-down pair of shoes, her personality chose this pair that will convey her extroversion to her new work colleagues.

How did you do this week? I reckon you shoe psychologists would’ve done well this time. Again, I’d love to hear about it so comment below! Here’s this week’s pair:

Sunday, 5 June 2016

I stop everyday people in the street, when I see interesting shoes. I take a photo and investigate their personality. The hypothesis is we can read into people via their footwear.

Last time I gave you this pair of shoes (subject no.1):

A stylish and tidy pair of shoes right? Perhaps on the conservative side, but also quietly showy with the animal print and gold and red accents.

What’s this individual’s style? What job do they do? What type of person wears these shoes and what do the shoes say about their personality?

Well meet AJ:

She’s stylish and coordinated; in some ways her style is conservative. AJ works in HR. But the look is far from bland: the red and gold accents and animal print on those smart shoes, and the bold red skirt definitely make a statement.

She describes her personality as ‘quietly confident’ and ‘quietly outgoing’ and in this way her shoes match her personality precisely.

I reckon most of you will have have come to the same conclusions. Or was it a complete surprise? I’d love to hear about it so comment below!

Here’s this week’s pair:

What’s this individual’s style of dress? What job do they do? What type of person wears these shoes and what do the shoes say about their personality?